“Men generally address women as you started to address me, as if there existed no common ground of serious thought between them.  They condescend, they flatter, they indulge in fulsome compliment, they whisper soft nonsense which they would be sincerely ashamed to utter in the presence of their own sex, they act as if they were amusing babies, rather than conversing with intelligent human beings.  Their own notion seems to be to shake the rattle-box, and awaken a laugh.  I am not a baby, nor am I seeking amusement.”

He glanced curiously at her book.  “And yet you condescend to read love stories,” he said, smiling.  “I expected to discover a treatise on philosophy.”

“I read whatever I chance to get my hands on, here in Glencaid,” she retorted, “just as I converse with whoever comes along.  I am hopeful of some day discovering a rare gem hidden in the midst of the trash.  I am yet young.”

“You are indeed young,” he said, quietly, “and with some of life’s lessons still to learn.  One is that frankness is not necessarily flippancy, nor honesty harshness.  Beyond doubt much of what you said regarding ordinary social conversation is true, yet the man is no more to be blamed than the woman.  Both seek to be entertaining, and are to be praised for the effort rather than censured.  A stranger cannot instinctively know the likes and dislikes of one he has just met; he can feel his way only by commonplaces.  However, if you will offer me a topic worthy the occasion, in either philosophy, science, or literature, I will endeavor to feed your mind.”

She uplifted her innocent eyes demurely to his face.  “You are so kind.  I am deeply interested just now In the Japanese conception of the transmigration of souls.”

“How extremely fortunate!  It chances to be my favorite theme, but my mental processes are peculiar, and you must permit me to work up toward it somewhat gradually.  For instance, as a question leading that way, how, in the incarnation of this world, do you manage to exist in such a hole of a place?—­that is, provided you really reside here.”

“Why, I consider this a most delightful nook.”

“My reference was to Glencaid.”

“Oh!  Why, I live from within, not without.  Mind and heart, not environment, make life, and my time is occupied most congenially.  I am being faithfully nurtured on the Presbyterian catechism, and also trained in the graces of earthly society.  These alternate, thus preparing me for whatever may happen in this world or the next.”

His face pictured bewilderment, but also a determination to persevere.  “An interesting combination, I admit.  But from your appearance this cannot always have been your home?”

“Oh, thank you.  I believe not always; but I wonder at your being able to discern my superiority to these surroundings.  And do you know your questioning is becoming quite personal?  Does that yield me an equal privilege?”